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The deal is done, and now the real work begins. Let's get it done on the field.
If this defense can get Carter back, then I see no reason they can't repeat the upper half scoring defense that they had last year. I think yards will still be given up. That's just the way the league is at this point. Offenses are wide open. If they can stay in the upper half of the league in scoring defense, continue to force turnovers, and make opposing QB's miserable (no necessarily just piling sacks), I really think this team can go a long long way.
Of course they will be given up. However, the goal is the limit those yards by a good margin over 2011. That's what the mostly defensive minded draft was all about. That's what the defensive moves in FA to address problem areas were all about. Cut down on yards given up causes a cut down on T.O.P. which also causes a cut down on bad field position when the defense does make a stop which causes an increase in T.O.P. for our offense which, in turn, will cause to more points put up. Are yards given up the most important stat for a defense? Nope. Are they important, though? Absolutely.
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Of course they will be given up. There hasn't been a team in the history of professional football that has held an opposing team to 0 yards of total offense. However, the goal is the limit those yards by a good margin over 2011. That's what the mostly defensive minded draft was all about. That's what the defensive moves in FA to address problem areas were all about. Cut down on yards given up causes a cut down on T.O.P. which also causes a cut down on bad field position when the defense does make a stop which causes an increase in T.O.P. for our offense which, in turn, will cause to more points put up. Are yards given up the most important stat for a defense? Nope. Are they important, though? Absolutely.
Respect. I think you know what I meant by what I said. I obviously WAS NOT saying that 0 yards would be given up. I'm not going to waste time trying to explain what I feel you already know. I respect you and your posts, but some of the smart ass comments on this board are over the top.
Regarding your "defensive minded" draft, I think that it had more to do with getting off the field on third downs and at least making opposing QB's uncomfortable in the pocket by giving the teams some impact playmakers. Does all of that play an indirect part in the yards argument, yes. However, I doubt BB or any other coach is as worried about yards given up. Even when the Patriots had dominant defenses teams were still able to drive the ball down the field on them. The difference was they stiffened up in the red area and they were better on third downs.
Last edited by PatsBoy12; 07-19-2012 at 09:04 AM..
Respect. I think you know what I meant by what I said. I obviously WAS NOT saying that 0 yards would be given up. I'm not going to waste time trying to explain what I feel you already know. I respect you and your posts, but some of the smart ass comments on this board are over the top.
No problem. I actually knew what you meant which is why I edited out, but couldn't get to it in time because a co-worker came over and slapped a load of work on my desk at that time. My apologies.
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Regarding your "defensive minded" draft, I think that it had more to do with getting off the field on third downs and at least making opposing QB's uncomfortable in the pocket. Does all of that play an indirect part in the yards argument, yes.
Third downs, field position, and time of possession are all either direct or indirect variables to yards allowed.
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However, I doubt BB or any other coach is as worried about yards given up. Even when the Patriots had dominant defenses teams were still able to drive the ball down the field on them. The difference was they stiffened up in the red area and they were better on third downs.
This is untrue. Check the stats area on NFL.com and go by yards for defenses for the 2003 and 2004 defenses. You can even do it with the 2006 defense as well. Those defenses never allowed a ton of yards. And the dynasty era defenses, outside of 2001 and 2003, all operated under the Polian rules.
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It's about 8:00AM July 19th, and rookies arrive at Gillette today! I can picture Hightower at the player's caf sitting down to a dozen scrambled with about 3 bagels, 6 sausages, and a big glass of chocolate milk!
Eat up Bubba, it's time to rock!
Enjoy the big helpings now rook, because when Wilfork gets to camp...
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"Would I rather have my phone records collected and inspected by the National Security Agency, or have my genitalia handled and scrutinized by the Transportation Security Administration? Why choose? In today’s America you can have both."
No problem. I actually knew what you meant which is why I edited out, but couldn't get to it in time because a co-worker came over and slapped a load of work on my desk at that time. My apologies.
No problem. As I said, I've always respected you and your posts. Furthermore, I absolutely agree with your overall premise in that post.
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Third downs, field position, and time of possession are all either direct or indirect variables to yards allowed.
I said that in my response.
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This is untrue. Check the stats area on NFL.com and go by yards for defenses for the 2003 and 2004 defenses. You can even do it with the 2006 defense as well. Those defenses never allowed a ton of yards. And the dynasty era defenses, outside of 2001 and 2003, all operated under the Polian rules.
The numbers won't tell the story because, as you said, the rules were different. However, if you go back and watch the games you'll see that there were many times in stretches where teams drove up and down the field on the Pats. The difference was that they were very good on third downs, especially in the years you reference. They also made big plays because they always had someone to step up (Ty, Rodney, Tedy, Vrabel, Mac, etc.). Someone always seemed to make a key play or two to end critical drives.
If you're comparing the numbers from today's yards allowed versus years ago, you have to consider that the numbers will be inflated after 2007. The Patriots took the league by storm with the spread. Defenses are still (years later) trying to figure out how to slow it down. Add the fact that teams can't maul receivers like they used to (thank Indy), you get the ridiculous statistical numbers of today. Think about it, were there any QB's throwing for over 5000 yards in the earlier part of the millennium? That's why guys like Dan Marino and Warren Moon are celebrated. They did it in a time when holding, clawing, scratching, etc. were permitted. It's hard to compare stats because the way the game is played has changed so drastically. It's a passing league now, whereas it was a running league in the years your reference. Numbers, in this case, don't tell the whole story, I guess.
Last edited by PatsBoy12; 07-19-2012 at 09:36 AM..
The numbers won't tell the story because, as you said, the rules were different. However, if you go back and watch the games you'll see that there were many times in stretches where teams drove up and down the field on the Pats. The difference was that they were very good on third downs, especially in the years you reference. They also made big plays because they always had someone to step up (Ty, Rodney, Tedy, Vrabel, Mac, etc.). Someone always seemed to make a key play or two to end critical drives.
Those rules changes went into effect in the 2003 offseason after Manning and the Colts got blitzed at the Razor. Here are the numbers for the seasons after that, in regards to YPG:
This franchise and our coach have shown that we can be a great defense when it comes to YPG in the era of passing offenses and rules changes. I suspect that tightening up in that area, amongst many, was an essential reason in the offseason moves on that side of the ball.
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Those rules changes went into effect in the 2003 offseason after Manning and the Colts got blitzed at the Razor. Here are the numbers for the seasons after that, in regards to YPG:
This franchise and our coach have shown that we can be a great defense when it comes to YPG in the era of passing offenses and rules changes. I suspect that tightening up in that area, amongst many, was an essential reason in the offseason moves on that side of the ball.
That may be true, Kontra, but spread offenses didn't become the rave until 2007 after the Patriots ran through the league and came within one or two plays of being undefeated. The rules may have changed after the 2003 season, but the game didn't change as drastically until much later. Quarterbacks throwing for 5000 yards a season will become more commonplace if the game continues to be played like it has in recent seasons.
If you compare what was considered a good defense as far as yards given up back then to what's considered good today, you'll see that it's different. Even the really good defenses of today would be considered "middle of the pack" defenses in the earlier part of the millennium in yards allowed. Games, more-or-less, are won now by winning the turnover battle (more so than before) and keeping teams out of the end zone. Those things were always important, but in a league now where teams are only hoping to contain offenses, those things become even more important.
Last edited by PatsBoy12; 07-19-2012 at 10:17 AM..
That may be true, Kontra, but spread offenses didn't become the rave until 2007 after the Patriots ran through the league and came within one or two plays of being undefeated. The rules may have changed after the 2003 season, but the game didn't change as drastically until much later. Quarterbacks throwing for 5000 yards a season will become more commonplace if the game continues to be played like it has in recent seasons.
If you compare what was considered a good defense as far as yards given up back then to what's considered good today, you'll see that it's different. Even the really good defenses of today would be considered "middle of the pack" defenses in the earlier part of the millennium in yards allowed. Games, more-or-less, are won now by winning the turnover battle (more so than before) and keeping teams out of the end zone. Those things were always important, but in a league now where teams are only hoping to contain offenses, those things become even more important.
For one, the Colts were more or less running an early form of the spread in 2004. We shut them down. For another, the spread can be stopped or slowed down. Look no further than what the 49ers did to the Saints and what the Giants did to us in the Super Bowl for the two most recent examples. For a third, more quarterbacks are throwing for more yards today than they used to because there are a higher percentage of franchise caliber quarterbacks than there were earlier in the 2000's. However, they can still be stopped or slowed when it comes to yards allowed. It's been shown time and time again since the Polian rules were adopted, and one of the teams that has shown it has been the Bill Belichick era Patriots.
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For one, the Colts were more or less running an early form of the spread in 2004. We shut them down. For another, the spread can be stopped or slowed down. Look no further than what the 49ers did to the Saints and what the Giants did to us in the Super Bowl for the two most recent examples. For a third, more quarterbacks are throwing for more yards today than they used to because there are a higher percentage of franchise caliber quarterbacks than there were earlier in the 2000's. However, they can still be stopped or slowed when it comes to yards allowed. It's been shown time and time again since the Polian rules were adopted, and one of the teams that has shown it has been the Bill Belichick era Patriots.
Okay, I concede. We are, and will remain, at an impasse. You can claim victory because I'm bowing out. Respect and peace.
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Re: Hightower agrees to deal
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